Ferrari 250 GT/E 2+2

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso, sometimes called GTL or GT/L – not to be confused with the Berlinetta Lusso, special version of the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB – is a passenger car produced by the Italian manufacturer Ferrari. Declination larger and more luxurious especially of the 250 GT Berlinetta, the 250 GT Lusso, which is not intended to compete in Gran Turismo, is considered one of the most elegant models of Ferrari,,,.

True to the "tradition" Ferrari of the time, the 250 GT Lusso is drawn by the Turin coachbuilder Pininfarina coachwork by Scaglietti. Although the cabin is more spacious than the 250 GT, the GT Lusso remains a GT coupe two-seater, unlike the 250 GTE 2 +2 coupe. Made for only eighteen months, from early 1963 to mid 1964, it is the last generation model of the Ferrari 250 GT.

The car shows are often an opportunity for manufacturers to introduce new models to the public. Ferrari and take the 1962 Paris Motor Show to unveil edition, in prototype form, the 250 GT Lusso. It is a model already almost completed, since only "change details" will be made thereafter.

This new model is the way for Ferrari part of the "void" left between the 250 GT SWB sporty and luxurious coupe 250 GTE 2 +2,, and secondly – and especially -. meet new requirements 1960s because sports fans are more fond of this time of "civilized" model, that is to say, comfortable and spacious, as radically sports,. Ferrari does not skimp on elsewhere GTL finishes, which is felt as regards the weight; between 1 020kg and 1310kg, depending on the finish, it is fairly high effect.

Extending over an unusually short period for a Ferrari model, its serial production began in January 1963 and ends in August 1964. According to the American Peter Coltrin, Ferrari expert longstanding construction of the 250 GT Lusso had begin shortly after the presentation of the prototype of the Paris Salon.

Although it is not for the competition, the 250 GT Lusso will make some appearances in several sporting events in 1964 and 1965, such as the Targa Florio and the Tour de France. Latest model in the series of 250 GT, the GT Lusso 351 copies will be produced before being replaced by the Ferrari 275 GTB following the increase of the engine. Originally sold $ 13,375, the GTL is trading in 2010 from 400 000 to 500 000 $.

Taking certain aesthetic, including aerodynamic lines, 250 GT and 250 GTO, Pininfarina is behind the design of the 250 GT Lusso, considered by many as one of the most beautiful Ferrari ever produced ; it will also attract personalities of the era such as Steve McQueen.

As usual, the company Carrozzeria Scaglietti is responsible for its manufacture of the body. The latter is made of steel with the exception of doors, boot lid and bonnet, made of aluminum. The stern of the body, which is carved into a small spoiler – the 250 GTL becoming the first Ferrari tourism integrate aerodynamic -, ends with an abrupt style rear Kammback,.

Typical cut, the short rear is also characterized by a bezel gently sloping to the stern of the car. Glass surfaces, including the rear window and the triangular quarter windows are particularly important and very narrow pillars provide excellent visibility,. The 250 GTL is fitted with four round headlights in the front, apart from a few versions, including the Berlinetta Speciale Version Cup drawn by Battista Pininfarina for himself, which have two headlights faired in the image of those of the Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder,. Many details of the body are characteristic of the 250 GT Lusso, such as rectangular air vent positioned on the bonnet, wings or even particularly shapely chrome bumpers, essentially decorative and placed at the front, vertically under each lamp position.

Declination luxury 250 GT, the 250 GT Lusso features a spacious interior, thanks to advanced a few centimeters on the front engine; this is an unexpected change in the time from Ferrari, given that sports should focus as much as possible, the weight in the center of the car. The integration of only two places – and not four as the 250 GTE – also allows for sufficient space behind the deep bucket to add a tray for carrying luggage ; space covered with quilted leather has also strips to attach.

If the 250 GT Lusso was a civilized sport, it was nevertheless "recommended in preference to young passengers and flexible" because the seatbacks whose inclination is not adjustable. Conversely, the depth of the pedal is adjustable on five centimeters, as the racing versions. The design of the dashboard, and coated with soft black leather, is unusual: the speedometer, the red zone starts 8000 rev/min, and the speedometer are placed in the center, slightly tilted towards the driver, while five additional gauges are in front of the driver behind the wheel Nardi three-spoke wood and aluminum, arranged almost vertical,.

Unlike the 250 GTE, declination "2 +2" which reached 2.60 m wheelbase, the GT Lusso is built on a short wheelbase of 2.40 m, the same as the 250 GT Berlinetta. The frame adopts the tubular structure of the 250 GTO, yet decreasing the section tubes,. In fact, the chassis could, according to Brian Laban, author of Ferrarissime "brilliantly bear comparison with that of competitors."

In terms of suspensions, the 250 GT Lusso features double wishbones and coil springs at the front, while a rigid axle, springs semi-elliptic leaf springs and telescopic dampers with concentric coil springs fitted to the rear suspension. Braking is provided by four disc brakes hydraulically placed behind the wheel radius Borrani in polished chrome butterfly central fixation aluminum.

Hosted by V12 "Colombo" with a capacity of three liters (2,953 cm3 exactly), the 250 GT Lusso develops an output of 240hp at 7500 rev/min and 242 Nm of torque at 5500 r/min. It reaches a maximum speed of 240km/h, becoming the fastest Therefore the passenger car of the time, and needs only 7 to 8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h,. Some components, such as valves and the crankshaft, are from the motor 250 of the GT SWB while others, such as the pistons and the cylinder block, taken from the GTE 250.

The engine is just as "civilized" as the cabin, since it is equipped with only one camshaft per cylinder bank head, chain driven, two valves per cylinder and three carburetors Weber dual body placed on top of V, against six usually on sportier versions.

However, this V12 suffers significant emissions of smoke during hard acceleration – it is for this reason that Steve McQueen, irritated by the persistent smoke despite an engine repair, will separate its GTL in 1967 – or vibration around 3700 rev/min. The synchromesh transmission also accuses some weaknesses, as it is with only four reports, the first turns out to be a bit long to improve from 0 to 100km/h.

Being the last representative of the line of Ferrari 250, begun in 1952 with the 250 S, the end of production of the 250 GT Lusso 1964 heralds the beginning of a new generation of Ferrari, ever more luxurious and refined, the Ferrari 275 and 330.

Ferrari 250 GT Lusso also marks the culmination of the Enzo Ferrari business strategy, according to which "sold Ferrari race cars, race cars lined road, road up to compete, and any short road ". If in this manner, Ferrari has become a full-fledged automaker and has built up a large clientele, his only interest was in fact finance his passion for motor racing.